Getty Images/MLS/WireImage.comThe cops ain't copping to anything just yet.
Two Ohio police chiefs, along with the son of a local mayor (good luck with that reelection campaign) accused of conspiring to break into the home of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick's surrogate to steal and sell fodder to the tabloids pleaded not guilty across the board this morning.
All told, the men were arraigned on 10 felony charges for their allegedly snooping—and dare we say disgraceful—ways.
The trio turned themselves in to the Belmont County jail yesterday for "anticipatory processing" and were released shortly thereafter on their own recognizance.
No word if they cried like babies during their short stint in the slammer, but they might after hearing the sentences they could face…
Martins Ferry Police Chief Barry Carpenter bore the brunt of the charges, racking up six felony counts: two counts of burglary, one count of receiving stolen property, one count of theft in office, one count of tampering with evidence and one count of unauthorized use of telecommunications property.
A status hearing has been set for Aug. 21, with a tentative trial date of Oct. 20. Barring any deals, if convicted on all charges, he faces up to 21 1/2 years behind bars and could be slapped with $45,000 in fines.
Hey, maybe Marion and Tabitha will buy him a celebratory drink when he gets out.
Bridgeport Police Chief Chad Dojack received just three felony charges, all for being complicit with Carpenter. He pleaded not guilty in Belmont County Common Pleas Court this morning to two charges of complicity to burglary—one a second-degree charge and one a third-degree—and complicity to receiving stolen property.
A Nov. 17 trial date has been set for Dojack, and if he's convicted, he faces 14 1/2 years in prison and fines up to $30,000.
We're not sure what the tabloid was willing to pay for the insider job—for which, at least, surrogate Michelle Ross was not at home—but we're guessing it's looking like a pretty bum deal right about now.
As for Bruce Callarik, the mayor's son who not only owns the hotel where Ross was staying, but who also happens to be the father-in-law of Dojack (the next family reunion's gonna be awkward) was charged with a sole count of complicity to receiving stolen property.
Something (OK, nepotism) tells us this one has the best chance of getting off.
His trial has been penciled in for Dec. 1. If convicted, he faces a comparatively measly 18 months in prison and $5,000 in fines.
Reps for Parker and Broderick have yet to comment on today's proceedings.
(Originally published on July 31, 2009 at 7:43 a.m. PT)
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Time will tell if the cops are guilty. Right now it's baby-gazing time. Take a look at SJP's adorable babes as well as Hollywood's other double teams in our Celeb Trend: Twins! gallery.